Vaporizer charging structure

ABSTRACT

A charging structure for a vaporizer. The charging structure includes a housing, a first electrical contact coupled to and extending outward from a first end of the housing, a spacer coupled to the first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact coupled to and extending outward from the spacer. The first electrical contact includes an exposed outer surface that extends in a continuous loop. The second electrical contact includes an exposed side surface that extends in a continuous loop and an end surface coupled to the side surface. Both the side surface and the end surface are electrically conductive. A vaporizer including the charging structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/123,371 filed on Dec. 16, 2020 which is aContinuation of International Application PCT/CA2020/051361 filed onOct. 9, 2020, which is based on and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/915,141 filed on Oct. 15, 2019, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed toward a vaporizer and, in particular, to acharging structure for a vaporizer.

2. Description of Related Art

There are different types of vaporizers designed for the personalconsumption of tobacco products, as well as cannabis for medical andrecreational purposes. Conventional vaporizers typically include abattery, a heater, and a reservoir or holder containing a substance forvaporization by the heater. The battery may be located in a reusablebase of the vaporizer, and the heater and reservoir may be located in adisposable cartridge that may be connected to the base. Many types ofvaporizers have a rechargeable battery. One type of vaporizer with arechargeable battery has a base with a charging port that is configuredfor connection to a charging cable. Another type of vaporizer with arechargeable battery has a base and a cartridge that connect with anelectromechanical connection commonly referred to as a “510” threadedconnection. To charge the battery, the cartridge is typically unscrewedfrom the base and a charger is screwed on to the base using the “510”threaded connection. Thus, the cartridge must be removed from the baseprior to charging. Other conventional vaporizers have electricalcontacts positioned on an exterior surface of the vaporizer so that thevaporizer may be recharged without removing the cartridge from the base.These vaporizers, however, are structured so that they are difficult toassemble. Further, the electrical contacts must be precisely positionedon a charger in order for the charger to recharge the battery.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein is directedtoward a charging structure for a vaporizer. The charging structureincludes a housing, a first electrical contact coupled to and extendingoutward from a first end of the housing, a spacer coupled to the firstelectrical contact, and a second electrical contact coupled to andextending outward from the spacer. The first electrical contact includesan exposed outer surface that extends in a continuous loop. The secondelectrical contact includes an exposed side surface that extends in acontinuous loop, and an end surface coupled to the side surface. Boththe side surface and the end surface are electrically conductive.

In some embodiments, the charging structure may include a light sourcepositioned in an interior cavity defined by at least one of the housing,the first electrical contact, the spacer, and the second electricalcontact. The spacer may be translucent or transparent, and the lightsource may be positioned so that light emitted from the light source isvisible at an outer surface of the spacer.

In some embodiments, the exposed outer surface of the first electricalcontact and the exposed side surface of the second electrical contactare each cylindrical.

In some embodiments, the exposed side surface of the second electricalcontact is integrally formed with the end surface.

In some embodiments, the first electrical contact includes a couplingsection that engages an inner surface of the housing, the spacerincludes a proximal section that engages an inner surface of the firstelectrical contact, and the spacer includes a distal section thatengages an inner surface of the second electrical contact.

In some embodiments, the exposed outer surface of the first electricalcontact includes a proximal end adjacent the first end of the housingand a distal end, the spacer includes a second exposed outer surfacewith a proximal end adjacent the distal end of the exposed outer surfaceof the first electrical contact and a distal end, and the exposed sidesurface of the second electrical contact includes a proximal endadjacent the distal end of the second exposed outer surface of thespacer and a distal end. The exposed outer surface of the firstelectrical contact, the second exposed outer surface of the spacer, andthe exposed side surface of the second electrical contact may besubstantially flush with an outer surface of the housing. The housingmay define an opening at the first end, and the first electrical contactmay include a coupling section that extends from the proximal end of theexposed outer surface through the opening. The first electrical contactmay define a second opening at the distal end of the first electricalcontact, the spacer may include a proximal section that extends from theproximal end of the second exposed outer surface through the secondopening, and the spacer may include a distal section that extends fromthe distal end of the second exposed outer surface toward the endsurface of the second electrical contact. The distal section of thespacer may define a third opening, and the end surface of the secondelectrical contact may substantially block the third opening. Theproximal section of the spacer may engage a first inner surface of thefirst electrical contact, and the distal section of the spacer mayengage a second inner surface of the second electrical contact.

In some embodiments, the charging structure includes a battery that iselectrically coupled to the first electrical contact and to the secondelectrical contact.

In some embodiments, an electromechanical connector is positioned at thesecond end of the housing. The electromechanical connector includes apositive electrical terminal that is electrically coupled to the batteryand a negative electrical terminal that is electrically coupled to thebattery.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein isdirected toward a vaporizer having the charging structure describedabove.

The charging structure may be configured for use with a charger havingtwo electrical contacts that are spaced apart in the same manner as thefirst and second electrical contacts of the charging structure. Oneelectrical contact of the charger may be configured to contact the sideand/or end surface of the second electrical contact of the chargingstructure. The charger may include a receptacle configured to receivethe charging structure. The charging structure may be incorporated intoa base of a vaporizer, and the base may be configured for connection toa cartridge. The charging structure may charge a battery in the basewithout disconnecting the cartridge from the base.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein isdirected toward a charging structure for a vaporizer. The chargingstructure includes a housing with first and second ends. A firstelectrical contact is coupled to and extends outward from the first endof the housing. The first electrical contact has an exposed side surfacethat extends in a continuous loop. A second electrical contact iscoupled to the second end of the housing. The second electrical contactcomprises an exposed outer surface that extends in a continuous loop.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, thefirst electrical contact may include an end surface coupled to the sidesurface, wherein both the side surface and the end surface areelectrically conductive. The exposed side surface of the firstelectrical contact may be integrally formed with the end surface.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, aspacer may be coupled to the housing and the first electrical contact,the spacer positioned between the housing and the first electricalcontact.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, theexposed side surface of the first electrical contact and the exposedouter surface of the second electrical contact may each be cylindrical.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, theexposed side surface of the first electrical contact, and the exposedouter surface of the second electrical contact may each be substantiallyflush with an outer surface of the housing.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, abattery may be electrically coupled to the first electrical contact andto the second electrical contact. An electromechanical connector may bepositioned at the second end of the housing, the electromechanicalconnector having a positive electrical terminal that is electricallycoupled to the battery and a negative electrical terminal that iselectrically coupled to the battery. The second electrical contact maybe positioned between the housing and the electromechanical connector.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein isdirected toward a charging structure for a vaporizer. The chargingstructure includes a housing with first and second ends. At least aportion of the housing forms a first electrical contact. The firstelectrical contact has an exposed outer surface that extends in acontinuous loop. A spacer is coupled to the first end of the housing. Asecond electrical contact is coupled to and extends outward from thespacer. The second electrical contact has an exposed side surface thatextends in a continuous loop.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, thesecond electrical contact may have an end surface coupled to the sidesurface, wherein both the side surface and the end surface areelectrically conductive. The exposed side surface of the secondelectrical contact may be integrally formed with the end surface.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, theexposed outer surface of the first electrical contact and the exposedside surface of the second electrical contact may each be cylindrical.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, theexposed outer surface of the first electrical contact may besubstantially flush with the exposed side surface of the secondelectrical contact.

In some embodiments of the exemplary embodiment described above, abattery may be electrically coupled to the first electrical contact andto the second electrical contact. An electromechanical connector may bepositioned at the second end of the housing, the electromechanicalconnector having a positive electrical terminal that is electricallycoupled to the battery and a negative electrical terminal that iselectrically coupled to the battery.

Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages andnovel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learnedfrom the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of theinvention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalitiesand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vaporizer having a charging structurein accordance with the invention described herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1showing an electromechanical connector configured for coupling the baseto a cartridge of the vaporizer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 2 showing thecharging structure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the base shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 5-5 shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the area 6 shown in FIG. 5 showing thecharging structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first electrical contact of thecharging structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a spacer of the charging structure shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second electrical contact of thecharging structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a charger for use with the chargingstructure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a base of a vaporizer having analternative embodiment of charging structure in accordance with theinvention described herein; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another base of a vaporizer having analternative embodiment of charging structure in accordance with theinvention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A charging structure for a vaporizer in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment of the invention described herein is identified generally as10 in FIG. 1. The charging structure 10 may be used with any type ofsuitable vaporizer, including the vaporizer 12 shown in FIG. 1.Vaporizer 12 includes a base 14 and a cartridge 16 that is removablyconnected to the base 14. The charging structure 10 is formed as part ofbase 14 and includes a housing 18, a first electrical contact 20, aspacer 22, and a second electrical contact 24. As described in detailbelow, the charging structure 10 is configured for receiving electricalcurrent to charge a battery 26 (FIGS. 4 and 5) housed within the base14.

Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 18 has a first end 28 and a second end30. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 18 is a generally cylindrical tubewith a first opening 32 at the first end 28 and a second opening 34 atthe second end 30. Battery 26 is positioned within housing 18, and anelectromechanical connector 36 is joined to the second end 30 of housing18.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the first electrical contact 20 is coupled tothe first end 28 of the housing 18. The first electrical contact 20includes an exposed outer surface 38 that is cylindrical and extends ina continuous loop around the base 14. The exposed outer surface 38 has aproximal end 40 that is adjacent the first end 28 of the housing 18 anda distal end 42. A coupling section 44 extends from the proximal end 40through the first opening 32 of the housing 18. The coupling section 44engages an inner surface 46 of the housing 18 to join the firstelectrical contact 20 to the housing 18. The coupling section 44 may bejoined to the housing 18 in any suitable manner including by a press-fitconnection, a friction-fit connection, adhesive, brazing, and/orwelding. Further, the coupling section 44 may include a clip thatengages a slot on housing 18 or the housing 18 may include a clip thatengages a slot on coupling section 44. The outer surface 38 is exposedin that it extends outward from the first end 28 of the housing 18 andis accessible from an exterior of the vaporizer 12. The outer surface 38is generally flush with an outer surface 48 of the housing 18. An innersurface 50 of the first electrical contact 20 includes a recessedportion 52 that forms a slot around the inner surface 50. As shown inFIG. 7, the inner surface 50 defines a channel through the firstelectrical contact 20 with a first opening 54 and a second opening 56 atthe distal end 42. The outer surface of the coupling section 44 isspaced radially inward from the exposed outer surface 38 to define aledge 58 that abuts the first end 28 of housing 18. The first electricalcontact 20 is formed from an electrically conductive material.

As shown in FIG. 6, the spacer 22 is coupled to and extends outward fromthe first electrical contact 20. Referring to FIG. 8, the spacer 22includes a proximal section 60, a middle section 62, and a distalsection 64. The proximal section 60 and distal section 64 are generallymirror images of each other on opposite ends of middle section 62. Theproximal section 60 has two clips, one of which is identified as 66,positioned on opposite sides of spacer 22, and the distal section 64 hastwo clips, one of which is identified as 68, positioned on oppositesides of spacer 22. As shown in FIG. 6, clips 66 are positioned in theslot formed by recessed portion 52 to join spacer 22 to first electricalcontact 20. Clips 68 are positioned in a slot formed by a recessedportion 70 of an inner surface 72 of second electrical contact 24 tojoin spacer 22 to second electrical contact 24. Thus, the proximalsection 60 of the spacer 22 engages the inner surface 50 of the firstelectrical contact 20, and the distal section 64 of the spacer 22engages the inner surface 72 of the second electrical contact 24. Spacer22 serves to insulate first electrical contact 20 from second electricalcontact 24 and is formed from an electrically insulating material.Alternatively, or in addition to using clips 66, the proximal section 60of the spacer 22 may engage the inner surface 50 of the first electricalcontact 20 in any suitable manner including by a press-fit connection, afriction-fit connection, or adhesive. Further, alternatively, or inaddition to using clips 68, the distal section 64 of the spacer 22 mayengage the inner surface 72 of the second electrical contact 24 in anysuitable manner including by a press-fit connection, a friction-fitconnection, or adhesive.

The middle section 62 has an exposed outer surface 74 that is generallyflush with the outer surface 38 of first electrical contact 20 and theouter surface 48 of housing 18. The outer surface 74 has a proximal end76 that is adjacent the distal end 42 of the exposed outer surface 38 ofthe first electrical contact 20. The outer surface 74 has a distal end78 that is adjacent the second electrical contact 24. The outer surfaceof proximal section 60 and the outer surface of distal section 64 arespaced radially inward from the outer surface 74 of middle section 62,as shown in FIG. 8. The proximal section 60 extends through the secondopening 56 of the first electrical contact 20 and into the channeldefined by the inner surface 50 of first electrical contact 20. Thedistal section 64 of the spacer 22 extends from the middle section 62toward an end surface 80 of the second electrical contact 24. As shownin FIG. 8, an inner surface 82 of the spacer 22 defines a channelthrough the spacer 22 with a first opening 84 and a second opening 86 atthe distal section 64.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second electrical contact 24 is coupled to andextends outward from the spacer 22. The second electrical contact 24 hasan exposed side surface 88 that extends generally perpendicular from andis formed integrally with end surface 80. The exposed side surface 88 iscylindrical and extends in a continuous loop around the base 14. Theexposed side surface 88 has a proximal end 90 that is adjacent thedistal end 78 of the outer surface 74 of the spacer 22. The exposed sidesurface 88 has a distal end 92 adjacent the end surface 80. The endsurface 80 of the second electrical contact 24 substantially blocks thesecond opening 86 at the distal section 64 of the spacer 22 tosubstantially enclose an interior cavity 94. The interior cavity 94 ispositioned between portions of the housing 18, the first electricalcontact 20, the spacer 22, and the second electrical contact 24. Thesecond electrical contact 24 is formed from an electrically conductivematerial with both the side surface 88 and end surface 80 beingelectrically conductive. The side surface 88 of the second electricalcontact 24 is generally flush with the outer surface 74 of spacer 22,the outer surface 38 of first electrical contact 20, and the outersurface 48 of housing 18. A post 96 extends upward from end surface 80into the interior cavity 94. A electrical conductor (not shown) mayelectrically connect the post 96 to a circuit board 100 and/or to anelectrical terminal of battery 26.

The first electrical contact 20, spacer 22, and second electricalcontact 24 may be assembled with housing 18 by first inserting firstelectrical contact 20 into housing 18. The first electrical contact 20may be joined to housing 18 in any of the manners described above. Theproximal section 60 of spacer 22 may next be inserted into firstelectrical contact 20 until the clips 66 engage first electrical contact20. The second electrical contact 24 may then be pressed over the distalsection 64 of spacer 22 until the clips 68 on spacer 22 engage thesecond electrical contact 24.

A light source 98 is positioned in the interior cavity 94. The lightsource 98 may be any type of light source (e.g., an LED, incandescent,halogen, or fluorescent light) capable of emitting light so that it isvisible from an exterior of the vaporizer 12. The spacer 22 may betranslucent or transparent so that light emitted from the light source98 is visible at the outer surface 74 of the spacer 22. An electricalconductor (not shown) may electrically connect the light source 98 tothe circuit board 100, or the light source 98 may be mounted directly onthe circuit board 100 and receive power from the circuit board 100 via aconnection between the battery 26 and circuit board 100.

Battery 26 is electrically coupled to the first electrical contact 20and to the second electrical contact 24 for charging battery 26 via anexternal power source in contact with first and second electricalcontacts 20, 24. Battery 26 may be directly coupled to first electricalcontact 20 and to second electrical contact 24 via an electricalconductor (not shown) that extends from a positive terminal of battery26 to one of electrical contacts 20, 24 and another electrical conductorthat extends from a negative terminal of battery 26 to the other ofelectrical contacts 20, 24. The positive and negative terminals ofbattery 26 may also be electrically connected to circuit board 100,which in turn is electrically connected to each of first electricalcontact 20 and second electrical contact 24. The circuit board 100 mayinclude a battery protection circuit to protect battery 26 fromovercharging or other undesirable conditions. Battery 26 may be any typeof suitable battery for storing and providing electrical power to aheater of cartridge 16. For example, battery 26 may be nickel cadmium(NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), lithium ionpolymer (Li-ion polymer), or rechargeable alkaline. Battery 26 isfurther electrically coupled to electromechanical connector 36, eitherdirectly or through circuit board 100, for providing electrical power tocartridge 16.

Circuit board 100 is electrically coupled to battery 26, a sensor 102,and light source 98. Circuit board 100 may further be electricallycoupled to electromechanical connector 36 and first and secondelectrical contacts 20 and 24 as described above. Circuit board 100 mayinclude a controller that receives a signal from sensor 102 andactivates light source 98 based on the signal. The sensor 102 may be apressure sensor or air flow sensor that detects when a user draws airthrough cartridge 16 during use of vaporizer 12. When the sensor 102detects air drawn through cartridge 16, the controller may electricallycouple battery 26 to electromechanical connector 36 for powering aheater of cartridge 16 and vaporizing a payload within the cartridge 16.When the sensor 102 detects air drawn through cartridge 16, thecontroller may also turn on light source 98. The sensor 102 is in fluidcommunication with the cartridge through the air flow path 106 shown inFIG. 5. The sensor 102 is positioned in a seal 104 that sealinglyengages the inner surface 46 of the housing 18.

The controller further may be electrically coupled to a sensor (e.g., atemperature, pressure, or air flow sensor) that detects a condition ofvaporizer 12 and alters the level of power provided throughelectromechanical connector 36 to cartridge 16 based on the sensedcondition. For example, a temperature sensor may sense the temperatureof fluid payload and/or vaporized payload within cartridge 16 and/or thetemperature of a heater of cartridge 16, and the controller may raise orlower the level of power provided to cartridge 16 based on the sensedtemperature. Likewise, a pressure and/or air flow sensor may sense thepressure or air flow rate of air within cartridge 16, and the controllermay raise or lower the level of power provided to cartridge 16 based onthe sensed pressure and/or air flow rate. The controller may causeelectrical power to be provided to electromechanical connector 36 when auser activates a user input device, such as a button, of vaporizer 12.The controller may store information regarding vaporizer 12 (e.g., thecharge level of battery 26, the amount of time vaporizer 12 and/orcartridge 16 have been used to vaporize a fluid payload, a level of afluid payload remaining within cartridge 16, and/or the amount or doseof payload provided to a user during a particular session of vaping withvaporizer 12) and transmit the information to an external device, suchas a mobile device or computer, through a wireless transmitter ortransceiver.

As shown in FIG. 5, electromechanical connector 36 is joined to thesecond end 30 of housing 18. The electromechanical connector 36 enablesthe transmission of electrical power from the base 14 to the cartridge16 and also physically joins the base 14 and cartridge 16 in areleasable manner. The electromechanical connector 36 provides anelectrical interface that includes two conductors, a central pin 108 andan outer ring 110. The central pin 108 may be electrically connected tothe positive terminal of battery 26 and the outer ring 110 may beelectrically connected to the negative terminal of battery 26, or viceversa. The electromechanical connector 36 includes female threadsdesigned to engage male threads of an electromechanical connector (notshown) of cartridge 16. For example, in a common implementation, theelectromechanical connectors comprise M7×0.5 mm threaded connectorswhich are commonly referred to as “510 threaded connectors.” The firstconnector (i.e., the connector on base 14) comprises a female 510threaded connector and the second connector (i.e., the connector oncartridge 16) comprises a male 510 threaded connector. Of course, theinvention is not limited to the use of 510 threaded connectors and othertypes of two-conductor connectors may also be used. For example, themechanical connection between base 14 and cartridge 16 may comprise athreaded connection, a pressure or friction fit connection, a twistmechanical lock, a magnetic connection, or any other mechanicalconnecting means known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge 16 includes a payload reservoir 112configured to contain a fluid payload for vaporization. A heater 114 isin fluid communication with the payload reservoir 112. The heater 114 iselectrically connected to the electromechanical connector (not shown) ofthe cartridge 16 for receiving the electrical power from the controllerof the base 14. The heater 114 is configured to heat the payload untilit vaporizes when receiving the electrical power. A user may draw thevaporized payload through an outlet 116 of the cartridge 16. The outlet116 is in fluid communication with the sensor 102 through a channel incartridge 16 that is in fluid communication with the air flow path 106shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 10, a charger 118 is configured for charging battery26. Charger 118 includes a receptacle 120 that is configured forreceiving the end of vaporizer 12 including the charging structure 10.The charger 118 includes two electrical contacts that are spaced apartin the same manner as the first and second electrical contacts 20 and 24of charging structure 10. Thus, when the charging structure 10 isinserted in the receptacle 120, each electrical contact of the charger118 is electrically connected to one of the first and second electricalcontacts 20, 24. The charger 118 includes a charging cable 122 forconnecting the charger 118 to a power source. The charging cable 122 mayinclude a connector that is removably received by a charging port on thecharger 118, or the charging cable 122 may be permanently connected tothe rest of the charger 118. The charging cable 122 may be any suitabletype of electrical cable. For example, charging cable 122 may have a USBtype A, B, mini A, mini B, micro A, micro B, or C connector, a Lightningconnector, a coaxial power connector, or any other type of connectorsuitable for connection both to an external power source and to thecharger 118. The charger 118 may also include a charging port that isconfigured for coupling with any of the types of connectors listedabove. The charger 118 may include a circuit board with a controllerthat is programmed with battery charging logic to charge battery 26 in aparticular manner depending on the storage capacity of battery 26, thecharge state of battery 26, and the level of power input to the charger118 from an external source.

In use, when battery 26 is charged, a user may connect cartridge 16 tobase 14 and draw air through outlet 116. Sensor 102 senses that air isbeing drawn through outlet 116 and the controller of base 14 sendselectrical power from battery 26 to the heater 114 of cartridge 16through electromechanical connector 36. The heater 114 heats the payloadwithin cartridge 16, and the user draws the vaporized payload throughthe outlet 116 of cartridge 16. The controller of base 14 furtheractivates the light source 98 as the user draws air and vaporizedpayload through the cartridge 16. The light source 98 may animate with abreathing effect (e.g., the light source 98 gradually increases and thendecreases in intensity) to show that the vaporizer 12 is operatingproperly. When the charge of battery 26 decreases below a certain level,the controller of base 14 may cause light source 98 to flash one or moretimes as an indication to the user that the battery 26 needs to berecharged. To recharge the battery 26, the user inserts the chargingstructure 10 into the receptacle 120 of the charger 118 and connects thecharging cable 122 to an external source of power. A light on thecharger 118 may indicate both when the battery 26 of base 14 is activelybeing charged (e.g., the light may gradually increase and then decreasein intensity) and when the battery 26 is fully recharged and ready foruse (e.g., the light may remain on at a constant intensity). Thecartridge 16 does not need to be disconnected from the base 14 while thebattery 26 is being recharged.

In an alternative embodiment, charging structure 10 may be configured sothat the first electrical contact 20 is positioned at the second end 30of the housing 18 while the second electrical contact 24 is positionedat the first end 28 of the housing 18. In such a configuration, housing18 and spacer 22 may be configured so that spacer 22 attaches to thefirst end 28 of housing 18 (e.g., a slot may be formed in the innersurface 46 of the housing 18 to receive the clips 66 of spacer 22.Further, spacer 22 may be omitted, and second electrical contact 24 andhousing 18 may be configured so that second electrical contact 24attaches to the first end 28 of housing 18. The second end 30 of thehousing 18 and first electrical contact 20 may be configured so thatfirst electrical contact 20 attaches to the second end 30 of the housing18 (e.g., a recess may be formed in the housing 18 at second end 30sized for receiving first electrical contact 20). The charger 118 mayfurther be configured to have electrical contacts that are configuredfor making contact with the first electrical contact 20 at the secondend 30 of housing 18 and the second electrical contact 24 at the firstend 28 of housing 18.

For example, FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of chargingstructure 200 that includes a housing 202, a spacer 204, a firstelectrical contact 206, and a second electrical contact 208. The spacer204 is joined to a first end of the housing 202 and the first electricalcontact 206 is joined to the spacer 204. The spacer 204 may be joined tothe housing 202 in a similar manner as described above with respect tofirst electrical contact 20 and housing 18. Further, the firstelectrical contact 206 may be joined to spacer 204 in a similar manneras described above with respect to second electrical contact 24 andspacer 22. The second electrical contact 208 is joined to a second endof the housing 202. The second electrical contact 208 may be joined tothe housing 202 in a similar manner as described above with respect tofirst electrical contact 20 and housing 18. An electromechanicalconnector 210 is joined to the second electrical contact 208. Theelectromechanical connector 210 may be similar to the electromechanicalconnector 36 described above. The first electrical contact 206 has anelectrically conductive side surface 212 extending in a continuous loopand electrically conductive end surface 214 in a similar manner as thesecond electrical contact 24 described above. The second electricalcontact 208 has an electrically conductive outer surface 216 extendingin a continuous loop in a similar manner as the first electrical contact20 described above. The first electrical contact 206 may havesubstantially the same structure as the second electrical contact 24described above, and the second electrical contact 208 may havesubstantially the same structure as the first electrical contact 20described above. The charging structure 200 may have a battery, lightsource, circuit board, and sensor configured in a similar manner asdescribed above for charging structure 10. The charging structure 200may further operate in a similar manner as described above for chargingstructure 10.

In another alternative embodiment, charging structure 10 may beconfigured so that the housing 18 serves as the first electrical contactsuch that the first electrical contact 20 shown in the drawings is notneeded. In such a configuration, housing 18 and spacer 22 may beconfigured so that spacer 22 attaches to the first end 28 of housing 18(e.g., a slot may be formed in the inner surface 46 of the housing 18 toreceive the clips 66 of spacer 22. The housing 18 is formed from anelectrically conductive material and may be electrically connected tothe battery 26 or circuit board 100 as described above in connectionwith first electrical contact 20. The charger 118 may further beconfigured to have electrical contacts that are configured for makingcontact with the housing 18 itself and the second electrical contact 24at the first end 28 of housing 18.

For example, FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of chargingstructure 300 that includes a housing 302 with an electricallyconductive outer surface 303 that serves as a first electrical contact,a spacer 304, and a second electrical contact 306. The spacer 304 isjoined to a first end of the housing 302 and the second electricalcontact 306 is joined to the spacer 304. The spacer 304 may be joined tothe housing 302 in a similar manner as described above with respect tofirst electrical contact 20 and housing 18. Further, the secondelectrical contact 306 may be joined to spacer 304 in a similar manneras described above with respect to second electrical contact 24 andspacer 22. An electromechanical connector 308 is joined to a second endof the housing 302. The electromechanical connector 308 may be similarto the electromechanical connector 36 described above. The electricallyconductive outer surface 303 of the housing 302 extends in a continuousloop in a similar manner as the first electrical contact 20 describedabove. The second electrical contact 306 has an electrically conductiveside surface 310 extending in a continuous loop and electricallyconductive end surface 312 in a similar manner as the second electricalcontact 24 described above. The second electrical contact 306 may havesubstantially the same structure as the second electrical contact 24described above. The charging structure 300 may have a battery, lightsource, circuit board, and sensor configured in a similar manner asdescribed above for charging structure 10. The charging structure 300may further operate in a similar manner as described above for chargingstructure 10.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth,together with the other advantages which are obvious and which areinherent to the invention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that allmatters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, variousmodifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited tothe specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein,except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is asfollows:
 1. A charging structure for a vaporizer comprising: a housingcomprising first and second ends; a first electrical contact coupled toand extending outward from the first end of the housing, wherein thefirst electrical contact comprises an exposed side surface that extendsin a continuous loop; and a second electrical contact coupled to andextending outward from the second end of the housing, wherein the secondelectrical contact comprises an exposed outer surface that extends in acontinuous loop.
 2. The charging structure of claim 1, wherein the firstelectrical contact comprises an end surface coupled to the side surface,and wherein both the side surface and the end surface are electricallyconductive.
 3. The charging structure of claim 2, wherein the exposedside surface of the first electrical contact is integrally formed withthe end surface.
 4. The charging structure of claim 1, furthercomprising a spacer coupled to the housing and the first electricalcontact, the spacer positioned between the housing and the firstelectrical contact.
 5. The charging structure of claim 1, wherein theexposed side surface of the first electrical contact and the exposedouter surface of the second electrical contact are each cylindrical. 6.The charging structure of claim 1, wherein the exposed side surface ofthe first electrical contact, and the exposed outer surface of thesecond electrical contact are substantially flush with an outer surfaceof the housing.
 7. The charging structure of claim 1, further comprisinga battery that is electrically coupled to the first electrical contactand to the second electrical contact.
 8. The charging structure of claim7, further comprising an electromechanical connector positioned at thesecond end of the housing, the electromechanical connector comprising apositive electrical terminal that is electrically coupled to the batteryand a negative electrical terminal that is electrically coupled to thebattery.
 9. The charging structure of claim 8, wherein the secondelectrical contact is positioned between the housing and theelectromechanical connector.
 10. A charging structure for a vaporizercomprising: a housing comprising first and second ends, at least aportion of the housing forming a first electrical contact, the firstelectrical contact comprising an exposed outer surface that extends in acontinuous loop; a spacer coupled to the first end of the housing; and asecond electrical contact coupled to and extending outward from thespacer, wherein the second electrical contact comprises an exposed sidesurface that extends in a continuous loop.
 11. The charging structure ofclaim 10, wherein the second electrical contact comprises an end surfacecoupled to the side surface, and wherein both the side surface and theend surface are electrically conductive.
 12. The charging structure ofclaim 11, wherein the exposed side surface of the second electricalcontact is integrally formed with the end surface.
 13. The chargingstructure of claim 10, wherein the exposed outer surface of the firstelectrical contact and the exposed side surface of the second electricalcontact are each cylindrical.
 14. The charging structure of claim 10,wherein the exposed outer surface of the first electrical contact issubstantially flush with the exposed side surface of the secondelectrical contact.
 15. The charging structure of claim 10, furthercomprising a battery that is electrically coupled to the firstelectrical contact and to the second electrical contact.
 16. Thecharging structure of claim 15, further comprising an electromechanicalconnector positioned at the second end of the housing, theelectromechanical connector comprising a positive electrical terminalthat is electrically coupled to the battery and a negative electricalterminal that is electrically coupled to the battery.
 17. The chargingstructure of claim 10, wherein the first electrical contact ispositioned adjacent the first end of the housing.